The bottom is like the beach. This is not always true, but generally the beach can be used to judge the bottom below the surface.

The bottom is like the beach

This is not always true, but generally the beach can be used to judge the bottom below the surface.

Makes sense, doesn't it?

Low water helps

Of course judging the bottom is best done at extreme low water. That means take a walk along the beach when the tide is low, and mark the good spots on your mental map. Use small landmarks like trees, signs, characteristic rocks etc. to recognize these spots.

Look at the surface

Also the bottom can be judged by the behaviour of the surface of the water. Sand bars and reefs can be seen in the way waves break over. Holes or passages in these bars can be found where the waves don't break over a bar. Shallower parts can be found in current patterns on the surface, submerged rocks can be seen by the way water reacts around and over them.

These rules vary endlessly and the exceptions are countless, but as rules of thumb they do well:

Stony beach

Stony bottom.

Sandy beach

Sandy bottom

Cliffs

Cliffs under the surface

Steep slope on beach

Deep water close to land

Headland or cape (even small ones)

Interesting structure under the surface

So... if you want to fish over sandy bottom find a sandy beach and if you want to fish deep water find a place with a steep cliff or hill behind you. Good as a starting point, but not always 100% true.
OK. So far so good. What about fish? Where are the fish?

Since you got this far …

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